Can the city tow a car if it’s blocking you from moving? Here’s what California law says
Imagine this: You’re exiting a store, ready to travel to your next destination of the day. Your parallel-parked car has been boxed in between two other parked cars.
What options do you have to get the other person’s car moved or ticketed?
Here’s what city and state officials said drivers can do when trapped in a tight space:
How far should you be parked from someone?
The DMV Office of Public Affairs said there are no explicit laws stating how far you should be parked behind someone.
“Drivers who are parking should leave enough space for the vehicles next to them to be able to safely leave without causing a collision,” the DMV said in an email to The Modesto Bee.
Can you call police to remove or ticket a car parked too close to you?
Gabby Miller, a spokesperson for the city of Sacramento, said ticketing, towing and immobilizing vehicles on public streets is only performed by local authorities including police departments, code enforcement officials and the sheriff’s departments.
On private property, the owner or person in charge of the private property has the authority to call for the removal of a vehicle parked illegally on the property.
California Vehicle Code 22651 states a peace officer or a local authority in charge of enforcing parking laws can remove an illegally parked vehicle.
The California law does not explicitly state if a poorly parked vehicle is illegal. The California Department of Motor Vehicle’s Driver’s Handbook states that the following situations would be considered illegal:
▪ Parking where a “No Parking” sign is posted.
▪ Parking on a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
▪ Parking on a sidewalk or partially blocking a driveway.
▪ Parking three feet within a sidewalk ramp for disabled people.
▪ Parking in front of a curb with wheelchair access.
▪ Parking in the diagonal lines area next to a disabled parking space.
▪ Parking in a space for zero-emission vehicles, unless you are driving one.
▪ Parking in a tunnel or on a bridge, unless signs permit parking.
▪ Parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or a fire station driveway.
▪ Parking between a safety zone and curb.
▪ Parking on the wrong side of the street or on a freeway, except during an emergency.
A vehicle can also be towed by law enforcement if it is in violation of the 72-hour parking law, which prohibits parking on public streets for a prolonged period of time. It is also illegal for someone to block your driveway.
From the perspective of local parking enforcement, Miller said staff can only issue a citation if there is a parking violation related to the blocked car.
“If both cars are legally parked, but the size of one or both has resulted in a difficult exit from the space, then no violation has occurred to warrant a parking citation,” Miller said in an email to The Bee.
This story was originally published October 10, 2023 at 6:00 AM.
